Johnson City TN vs Rockford IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 84.0% | 55.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $53,328 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $30,409 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 21.9% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 23.2% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 44.7% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.4% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.1% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.7 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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